Australia 2013 Coral Reefs Stamps Scott #3974 Thru 3977

Scott Catalogue lists Australia #3974 thru 3977 with perforations 14.5x14 and 13.5x14. I am not able to find any other catalogues or dealers that list/sell the stamps having 14.5x14 perfs.

Does the 14.5x14 perf exist and if so where?

Kandyman

My Gibbons Catalogue for Australia lists the Coral Reef stamps as perf 13.5 x 14 for ordinary gum and die-cut perf 10.5 x 11 for self adhesive.
I can't see any reference to 14.5 x 14.

Yes, Scott always gives "nearest" guage

The guage of the Coral Reefs was 13.86 x 14.6

I disagree. If the stamp is perf'd 13.86 (top) x 14.6 (bottom) and based on Scott setting it to the "nearest' gauge, then I would think the Scott performations would be listed as
13.75 x 14 which agrees with none of the perf gauges listed in any caatalogue.

So, does anyone own these stamps with perf 14.5x14?

Oops. I should have said the perf convention is Top Perf 1st then Side Perf next. Not the bottom.

Either Scott uses quarter (13.75 x 14.5) perforation or half perforation (14 x 14.5) steps.
And even if they use the quarter perforation steps, the slightest mismeasurement will result in 14 x 14.5.

I assume the technical details follow the convention of horizontal x vertical perforations.

Even if the Technical Details are actually 14 x 14.5 this perf arrangement still is not listed in any catalogue and not what is listed in Scott at 14.5 x 14.

These would be 2 different perfs.

You are assuming Scott (Amos) is perfect.

It relies on the stamp classifier / describer working for Scott.
and if he / she reported it correctly.

...and I am assuming Australia Post is perfect.

I don't think my Aussie Catalogue (Varieties) goes to 2013.
...No it doesn't "Australian Stamp Variations...David Mallen 1966 -2006"

You may be able to reach Australia Post "queries dept" I do recall some years ago, there was this option.

"Philately begins, where the catalogue ends"

Sold this issue for 7 years. Many sales. Never come across any perf varieties doing this as part of 1,500 ebay listings of Australia dec issues.

The only person to do any serious studies of Australia dec issues that I know of is a person called David Mallen. His book of varieties including perf varieties. He has stopped for some years now but I have a copy of his book called Australian Stamp Variations Catalogue Decimal:1966-2009. by David Mallen. Do not know his history after this point.

New larger issue Rennicks "Stamps of Australia" catalogue includes perf varieties but nothing for 2013 coral reefs.

Can we assume, being the module is 40 stamps
that the perforations must be Harrow or Comb.

Thereby having the guaging either one or the other.
There could be no reason to have a variation.?

I must say, I find it curious for Australian guaging to be so accurate 13.86 x 14.6
Not come across that before.
I wonder what guage they are using

Hi rod222 - can you translate your first 2 paragraphs above? I have no idea what any of that means.

Oh by the way - Yes Scott is infallible. Just ask them (oops - probably shouldn't have said that). My bad.

I will query the Scott Catalogue Editor about this issue versus Australia Post. Afterall Scott made the listing. But this may be a while as I have already burdened the editor with other issues.

Will be interesting to see if any are answered. Always hopeful.

Correct, BUT ! it begins at the bottom axis of the stamp, rotating clockwise

EG : Measuring Triangulars and stamps with a differing guage on each side

Perforations 101

There are 4 basic types of Perforations

1. Line perforation (One line of pins, puncture the paper at each "press")

2. Comb perforation : A die has a "hair comb" design of multiple pins
that perforate at each advance of the perforation bed.
(This is an Australian "Grover" comb perforator)
Generally identified by lines at the border, in the selvedge



3. Harrow Perf ( design as of a "Agricultural Harrow"
It perforates a design in one press (multiple stamps)
used for souvenir sheets, cinderellas etc
All stamps in the sheet are perforated, but no perfs in the selvedge



4. US etc type "grinding perforation (rotary) correct verbiage escapes me at the moment

Hope that helps

rod222

What does the above mean?

Do you mean the "axis" bit?
Start at the bottom of the stamp, and rotate clockwise.

Genearally speaking, most collectors measure the top and side
because most stamps are square or rectangular

But get to a triangle stamp, start at the bottom, go clockwise.

Some early rare stamps have 4 differing perfs on the one stamp

I have contacted Scott on several occasions regarding possible errors.
Never had a response. Gave up.